TRENTON -- Gov. Chris Christie on Wednesday said he vetoed legislation that would have guaranteed daily recess to New Jersey's youngest elementary school children "because part of my job as governor is to veto the stupid bills. That was a stupid bill and I vetoed it."

The bill would have required a 20-minute daily recess period for grades K-5.

Appearing on Fox News, Christie -- a Republican presidential candidate -- said it represented "crazy government run amok," because, he claimed, the bill required that children play outdoors, even on cold days or during inclement weather.

The bill's language allowed for the recess to be held indoors or outdoors, though it expressed a "preference" for outdoor play, "if feasible."

On Tuesday, the bill's primary sponsor, state Sen. Shirley Turner (D- Mercer) called her bipartisan proposal a "no-brainer." It passed both the state Senate and Assembly without opposition.

The percentage of children aged 6-11 years in the United States identified as "obese" increased from 7 percent in 1980 to nearly 18 percent in 2012, according to the Centers for Disease Control. According to the CDC, more than one-third of U.S. children are considered overweight.

On Tuesday, the governor's office gave no specific reason for not approving the bill, with a spokeswoman instead blaming the Legislature for dumping 158 bills onto Christie's desk in last week's final days of the two-year session.

Christie on Wednesday gave an explanation, telling Fox host Neil Cavuto: "With all the other problems we have to deal with, my Legislature is worried about recess for kids from kindergarten to fifth grade?"

Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission.